Dallas pilot FAQ

Our mailbag is full of questions regarding the Dallas pilot so we thought we would try and cover off a few of them here.

What is the title of the pilot – working title is Dallas – ‘CHANGING OF THE GUARD’

Who wrote the pilot episode? – Cynthia Cidre

What network will this be on? TNT

How many episodes are in the first season? 10 episodes which includes the pilot episode.

In a nutshell can you outline the plot – It’s really about the next generation of Ewings. Miss Ellie summed it up very well in season 6 of the original series “Think ahead Sue Ellen, think twenty five or thirty years ahead. I won’t be here then and the fight won’t be between JR and Bobby, it’ll be between John Ross and Christopher”

Bobby still owns Southfork and has a battle on his hands both privately and publicly as he strives to save his late mothers legacy. A battle which will tear the family apart. At the heart of the battle are John Ross and Christopher Ewing, two ambitious young men who both want to be top of their game and take the power and influence that comes with being a Ewing.

Like the beginning of the original series there is an element of the rich and the poor, with less well off characters mingled into the lives of the Ewing family.

Which of the original characters will appear? Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy), JR Ewing (Larry Hagman) and Sue Ellen Ewing (Linda Gray), Cliff Barnes (Ken Kercheval). Lucy Ewing (Charlene Tilton)appears briefly in three episodes and Ray Krebbs (Steve Kanaly) will make a brief appearance in two. Appearing in the lead roles are John Ross Ewing (Josh Henderson) and Christopher Ewing (Jesse Metcalfe).

Who is who in the Dallas pilot?

Let’s break this down.

Christopher’s side

ANN RYLAND EWING (played by Brenda Strong) – Bobby’s lovely new wife.

BOBBY JAMES EWING (played by Patrick Duffy) – Adopted Father of Christopher Ewing and owner of Southfork Ranch.

CHRISTOPHER EWING (played by Jesse Metcalfe) – The new acumen and entrepreneurial vigor of the Ewing clan. Smart, attractive, effective, he has the guarded eyes of someone who’s already mixed it up with life.

REBECCA SUTTER (played by Julie Gonzalo) – Fiancée of Christopher Ewing and about to become the next Mrs Ewing

John Ross’s side

JR Ewing (played by Larry Hagman) – Father of John Ross Ewing. He spent his life building a legacy for his son to ensure they maintain a power-base in Dallas. It’s time to hand over the reigns.

JOHN ROSS EWING (played by Josh Henderson) – A powerful man, he is charismatic, seductive. He’s his father’s son.

SUE ELLEN EWING (played by Linda Gray )- Mother of John Ross Ewing.

The Ramos’s

ELENA RAMOS (played by Jordana Brewster) – Daughter of the Ewing cook Carmen and girlfriend of John Ross Ewing. She spent her entire life at Southfork Ranch growing up with both John Ross and Christopher.

Who was Christopher Ewing’s mother? Christopher’s biological mother was Kristin Sheperd, sister of Sue Ellen Ewing. She killed herself while high on speed by jumping over the balcony at Southfork Ranch. Christopher was adopted by Bobby and Pam Ewing. Pam was disfigured in a car accident and presumed dead. Bobby’s second wife, April, was murdered in Paris. Let’s hope things work out better for Ann.

Why did we never see Carmen in the original Dallas. What happened to Teresa?

We have to assume we only met characters that were relevant at the time and now in 2011 the Ramos family have a fundamental role to play with the next generation. Teresa was perhaps better at answering the phone than cooking.

What happened to Cliff Barnes, is Rebecca Sutter his daughter?

You will have to keep watching. This series is full of twists.

When will filming begin? Filming has now ended on the first season.

Will we see Southfork Ranch? Yes of course. Dallas wouldn’t be Dallas without Southfork

Do all the Ewings still live under the same roof, that was kind of odd? Things have slightly changed in that respect. You will have to watch it!

There are rumors on the Internet that JR will be killed off, is that true? Kill off JR! Surely not. Again you will have to watch to find out.

Where and when can I view the first season – The series will broadcast on TNT in the US June 2011 and in the UK on Channel 5 in September 2012

What can we do to support the seroes? Keep talking about the show. UltimateDallas.com has done a great job keeping the show in the spotlight over the past 14 years but we all need your help to keep the interest going. Tweet about it, chat about it on the Dallas fans forum, leave comments and really engage in the excitement. Also support the brilliant new cast such as Josh Henderson, Julie Gonzalo, Jesse Metcalfe and Jordana Brewster. Plus of course watch it when it airs

The new Zune browser is surprisingly good, but not as good as the iPod’s. It works well, but isn’t as fast as Safari, and has a clunkier interface. If you occasionally plan on using the web browser that’s not an issue, but if you’re planning to browse the web alot from your PMP then the iPod’s larger screen and better browser may be important.

I’ll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. (There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)

The Zune concentrates on being a Portable Media Player. Not a web browser. Not a game machine. Maybe in the future it’ll do even better in those areas, but for now it’s a fantastic way to organize and listen to your music and videos, and is without peer in that regard. The iPod’s strengths are its web browsing and apps. If those sound more compelling, perhaps it is your best choice.

If you’re still on the fence: grab your favorite earphones, head down to a Best Buy and ask to plug them into a Zune then an iPod and see which one sounds better to you, and which interface makes you smile more. Then you’ll know which is right for you.

Thank you for your entire labor on this blog. Kim delights in engaging in research and it’s easy to understand why. My spouse and i hear all relating to the lively form you deliver very helpful things on this website and in addition strongly encourage contribution from other individuals on the area then our simple princess is really discovering so much. Take advantage of the remaining portion of the year. You’re conducting a very good job.

I grew up with Dallas, so I can’t remember the first few seasons, but it was a great show, thanks to a strong cast and mr. Hagman. The difference between now and then is that there wasn’t any show like Dallas on tv when it started. People couldn’t get enough of the Ewings…the problem is that it was such a great concept that a lot of similar shows started and I think the script will have to be incredible to compete in the current market, and win over a new generation of fans. I do think that the chosen cast can pull it off. Let’s hope for the best and hope to hear that infamous theme-song in our houses soon!

4 years ago

TIM

It’s actually happening. Looks like our dream is about to come true. Hope I am not awakened by the shower door closing and find out the pilot is all a dream. Sorry DALLAS fans, couldn’t resist. LOL.

4 years ago

Ron Berry

Dallas was truly one of the all-time mega shows in the history of television media. I hope the new and the old are blended in such a way that the traditional can usher in an acceptance of the new generations. The young people of today don’t know anything about JR Bobby or Sue Ellen, but the young cast members can help the younger audience receive and accept them. All us older folks born in the 60’s, 50’s and before already love and respect the old guard and it will be up to Larry, Patrick, and Linda to facilitate the older generation’s approval of the younger and newer cast members and characters. Will it be as popular as it was in the 80’s-that’s a tough act to follow. Michael Jackson only had one, “Thriller” and Prince only had one, “Purple Rain.”Regardless, I’m glad I lived long enough to see this comeback. Hopefully Ms Cidre will be almost as creative as David Jacobs, Arthur Bernarad Lewis, C. Marchetta and the original creative team with Leonard Katzman. All Dallas faithful wish the best. Long live Dallas!